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102Changing Society by Scientific Investigations? The Unexpected Shared Ground Between Early Sociology of Knowledge and the Vienna CircleFoundations of Science 21 (1): 117-128. 2016.In this paper, I show that there are important but hitherto unnoticed similarities between key figures of the Vienna Circle and early defenders of sociology of knowledge. The similarities regard their stance on potential implications of the study of science for political and societal issues. I argue that notably Otto Neurath and Karl Mannheim are concerned with proposing a genuine political philosophy of science that is remarkably different from today’s emerging interest in the relation between …Read more
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97Karl Mannheim, Relativism and Knowledge in the Natural Sciences – A Deviant InterpretationIn Richard Schantz & Markus Seidel (eds.), The Problem of Relativism in the Sociology of (Scientific) Knowledge, Ontos. pp. 183-214. 2011.The paper focuses on one central aspect of Karl Mannheim’s sociology of knowledge: his exemption of the contents of mathematics and the natural sciences from sociological investigations. After emphasizing the importance of Mannheim’s contribution and his exemption-thesis to the history and development of the field and the problem of relativism, I survey several interpretations of the thesis – especially those put forward by proponents of the so-called ‘Strong Programme’. I argue that these inter…Read more
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49Scylla and Charybdis of the epistemic relativist: Why the epistemic relativist still cannot use the sceptic’s strategyStudies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 44 (1): 145-149. 2013.In a reply to Howard Sankey I have maintained that the epistemic relativist cannot use the strategy of the sceptic since the relativist is at pains not to draw the sceptical solution. Sankey has objected to my argument by distinguishing between weak and strong justification: according to Sankey, the relativist using the sceptic’s strategy aims to provide an argument against the latter form of justification but still maintains that we can have the former.In this counter-response I argue that if t…Read more
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475Von Wahrheit über Bedeutung zum Anti-Begriffsrelativismus? Davidsons Argumentation gegen den BegriffsrelativismusFacta Philosophica 10 (1): 39-66. 2008.Since Davidson's proposal to use a Tarskian theory of truth in order to develop a theory of meaning has been criticised extensively, it is decisive to ask whether Davidson needs such a theory as an assumption and premise in other parts of his work. Especially, many authors have claimed that Davidson's argument in his paper 'On the Very Idea of a Conceptual Scheme' depends on his approach in the theory of meaning. It is argued that this interpretation is wrong and Davidson's attack on conceptual …Read more
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6454The Problem of Relativism in the Sociology of (Scientific) Knowledge (edited book)ontos. 2011.This volume comprises original articles by leading authors – from philosophy as well as sociology – in the debate around relativism in the sociology of (scientific) knowledge. Its aim has been to bring together several threads from the relevant disciplines and to cover the discussion from historical and systematic points of view. Among the contributors are Maria Baghramian, Barry Barnes, Martin Endreß, Hubert Knoblauch, Richard Schantz and Harvey Siegel.
University of Siegen
Alumnus, 2014
Münster, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany
Areas of Specialization
Epistemology |
Philosophy of Social Science |
General Philosophy of Science |
Philosophy of Science, Misc |
Thomas Kuhn |
PhilPapers Editorships
Epistemic Relativism |
Epistemic Relativism, Misc |
Sociology of Knowledge |
Sociology of Science |